Even though the Port Orchard Pavilion has hosted activities since the beginning of December, the facility will celebrate its grand opening with a series of upcoming events.

“We hope to build this into a place where people can go for a variety of activities,” said manager Leah Wattree. “And we want to make the community aware of everything that we have to offer.”

The 4,000-square-foot building was leased last year by radio personality and Port Orchard resident Delilah Rene, who originally planned to open a clothing store in the front section and a recreation center in the back.

The clothing store, dubbed "Hootchie Wear,” was moved to another Bay Street location one block west, and both businesses had “soft openings” in December.

Since then, the Pavilion hosted a pre-Legislative session meeting with senators and representatives sponsored by the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce, as well as several workshops and meetings.

It has become the headquarters for the “Bootcamp Diva” fitness program, along with a Thursday morning prayer group.

The grand opening for the Pavilion is scheduled for March 4, with a “Daddy Daughter Dance” scheduled for three weeks later.

It will be open for rentals for public or private events, with the option for catering.

Wattree said there is a different price structure in place for nonprofit groups. She expects the facility to be profitable.

“I expect we will make money,” she said, “even as we seek to provide the community with what it needs we are aware that this is a business.”

“I don’t know if we will ever recoup the expenses,” Rene said. “I see this as an investment that I gladly made in my kids’ lives and our community. It will be a place for people to gather and have fun and create friendships and hopefully memories that will last a lifetime.

“That’s an invesent that will have much higher rewards that just getting my money back,” she said. “If we can give teens a place to go and gather, to have fun an stay off the streets, then our community is better off. If we can keep one teen in school or out of trouble, then it’s worth the investment.”

The main event center, which was once a roller rink, has a large wood floor that is suitable for almost any function.

In parallel, the upstairs portion of the pavilion will be uses as a youth center, nicknamed the “Pop-Up” (Port Orchard Pavilion Upstairs).

Scheduled to open next week it will include pool tables, foosball, air hockey and soft darts along with other games and activities.

Its planned hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

“We really can do a lot with this space,” Wattree said of the pavilion. “There are so many great ideas that we don’t know which ones to try first.”

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